BOYS BASKETBALL

Middleton Tigers press to win at Jackson Christian

Brandon Shields
USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee
Middleton's Montrez Jones spots up for a shot during Tuesday night's game against Jackson Christian. Middleton defeated Jackson Christian, 61-46.

The start didn’t go well for Middleton’s boys at Jackson Christian on Tuesday, but the Tigers finished well – particularly in the second quarter.

Middleton outscored the Eagles by 16 points in the second quarter because of its full court press that led to easy baskets and succeeded in not allowing the home team many good looks at the basket.

VIDEO: Clips from the first half of the game

PHOTO GALLERY: Shots from the District 15-A matchup

The ending result was a 61-46 victory for Middleton.

“Jackson Christian is a team that works best when it gets in a rhythm, so we knew we had to get them out of their rhythm,” said Middleton head coach James Burkley. “(Riley) Ragan is the main one they try to go to, and (Jeremy) Stewart is usually the one that goes to the boards.

Middleto'n's Maurius Reaves dribbles down court looking for an open teammate during Tuesday night's game against Jackson Christian. Middleton defeated Jackson Christian, 61-46.

“We wanted to keep them from doing what they do and take them out of their offense.”

It worked in that second quarter after the Tigers spent the first quarter digging out of a 6-0 hole to begin the game after the Eagles got to shoot a couple of technical fouls before the game started. That was due to Middleton entering the court illegally by splitting and surrounding the opposition while they were warming up.

“That’s the rule, and we had to come back from it,” Burkley said. “But they did what they had to do and went to work.”

Montrez Jones was the primary one who did the work with 21 points. When the Tigers weren’t getting easy lay-ups from steals on the press, they were getting the ball inside to the big guy where he got easy baskets because of his height advantage.

Rodrigeus Robinson and Leqon Perry had 13 apiece for the Tigers.

“I liked the intensity we brought to that second quarter, and really late in the first quarter, too,” Burkley said. “We built up a little bit of a lead there right before halftime and did well making sure we kept it.”

Middleton's John Gray prepares to go up for a shot while chased by Jackson Christian's Gunnar Lewis during their game Tuesday. Middleton defeated Jackson Christian, 61-46.

Middleton’s advantage never reached 20 points, but it hovered between 13 and 18 most of the second half before ending with the final 15-point differential.

Stewart led Jackson Christian with 16 points. Logan Riddle finished with 13.

Middleton’s win pulls the Tigers into a tie for first in District 15-A with the Eagles.

Girls

Middleton girls 69, Jackson Christian 37

The Lady Tigers spent a lot of the game with more than double the point total of the Lady Eagles before Jackson Christian picked up its scoring late in the game.

Sequoya Warren led Middleton with 18, and Tyra Smith was right behind her with 17. Chelsey Perry finished with 12.

Kelsey Rice led the Lady Eagles with 17.

Brandon Shields, 425-9751